UoC Faculty of Pharmacy Secures Double Gold at IPITEx 2026 and VICE 2025, Advancing Malaysia’s Pharmaceutical Innovation Agenda

The University of Cyberjaya (UoC) continues to strengthen its global research footprint as the Faculty of Pharmacy achieved outstanding success across two major innovation platforms — the Bangkok International Intellectual Property, Invention, Innovation and Technology Exposition (IPITEx) 2026 and the Virtual Innovation Competition Exhibition (VICE) 2025.

These achievements underscore UoC’s growing leadership in pharmaceutical innovation, translational research, and commercialisation-ready healthcare solutions, positioning Malaysia prominently on the international innovation map.

International Recognition at IPITEx 2026

IPITEx 2026, a prestigious global innovation exposition, was held from 5–9 January 2026 at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC). Organised by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) in conjunction with Thailand Inventors’ Day, the event carried the theme “Unlock Thailand – Power of Invention and Innovation.”

The exposition attracted over 1,000 innovations from researchers and inventors representing more than 20 countries, including Malaysia, China, South Korea, Poland, and others, serving as a major platform for innovation showcasing, commercialization, and international collaboration.

Representing Malaysia on this global stage, the UoC Faculty of Pharmacy research team secured:

• 🥇 Gold Medal – SynbiMalt
• 🥈 Silver Medal – Lumine Oceano
• 🥈 Silver Medal – NaGanoHeal

Continued Momentum at VICE 2025

Meanwhile, the Faculty’s winning streak continued at the Virtual Innovation Competition Exhibition (VICE) 2025, held on 28 November 2025 and organised by Kolej Poly-Tech MARA (KPTM) Bangi. Conducted under the theme “Generasi Inovatif: Daripada Idea ke Realiti” (Innovative Generation: From Idea to Reality), VICE 2025 provided a virtual platform for innovators to translate creative concepts into practical, impactful solutions.

At VICE 2025, SynbiMalt emerged as a standout innovation, securing:

• 🥇 Gold Medal
• 🏆 Jury’s Choice Award
• 🥈 1st Runner-Up Overall

Together, these accolades from both physical and virtual international exhibitions highlight UoC’s expanding prominence in pharmaceutical and healthcare innovation.

A Dual-Track Research Philosophy

Reflecting on the success, Prof. Ts. Dr. Liew Kai Bin, Head of Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industry and Head of the Centre for Pharmaceutical Innovation and Commercialization Services, Faculty of Pharmacy at University of Cyberjaya, emphasised the Faculty’s translational research approach:

“Our success comes from a dual-track research philosophy that balances scientific rigour with real-world applicability. Strong scientific evidence builds credibility, while early alignment with user needs, scalability, regulatory pathways, and industry relevance ensures meaningful societal impact.”

Under his leadership, the research team continues to reinforce the Faculty of Pharmacy’s reputation for innovation excellence and patient-centred healthcare solutions.

Breakthrough in Probiotic Drug Delivery

Among the award-winning projects, SynbiMalt captured particular attention for its novel approach to oral health through a targeted synbiotic system delivered via a fast-melt orodispersible film.

“The key scientific breakthrough behind SynbiMalt lies in its targeted synbiotic system specifically designed for oral health. By combining the spore-forming probiotic Bacillus coagulans with the prebiotic maltodextrin, we enhanced probiotic survival and activity directly within the oral cavity,” explained Prof. Liew.

The fast-melt orodispersible film enables immediate release while maintaining probiotic stability, offering a scientifically coherent, patient-friendly solution that resonated strongly with judges at both competitions.

He added that the delivery technology significantly improves patient compliance:

“The film dissolves within seconds without water, making it ideal for busy individuals and suitable for children and the elderly. It releases active ingredients directly in the oral cavity, ensuring faster, more targeted action compared to conventional tablets or capsules.”

Advancing Toward Clinical and Commercial Translation

All three innovations — SynbiMalt, NaGanoHeal, and Lumine Oceano — are currently progressing along clearly defined translational pathways.

“These innovations are at advanced preclinical to early translational stages. We have optimised formulations, developed functional prototypes, and completed extensive physicochemical, mechanical, and in vitro biological characterisation. The next critical phase involves in vivo efficacy and safety validation prior to regulatory submission and eventual clinical or commercial deployment.”

Interdisciplinary Collaboration as a Key Success Factor

The Faculty highlighted multidisciplinary collaboration as a cornerstone of its innovation success.

“Each product was developed at the intersection of pharmaceutical sciences, biotechnology, material science, and clinical insight. This interdisciplinary approach allowed us to translate scientific concepts into practical, patient-oriented solutions, which was crucial in achieving recognition at both exhibitions.”

Each innovation is now approaching its next development phase:

• SynbiMalt: Completed palatability testing and market surveys with strong user acceptance; next steps include product positioning, scale-up, regulatory alignment, and market entry.
• NaGanoHeal: Moving from promising in vitro findings to in vivo studies to evaluate wound-healing efficacy and safety.
• Lumine Oceano: Advancing toward in vivo validation of its anti-ageing and skin-enhancing effects as a science-backed cosmeceutical.

Strengthening UoC’s Future Research Direction

These dual-platform achievements reaffirm UoC’s role as both a national and global contributor to pharmaceutical innovation.
“This success strengthens our commitment to translational, innovation-driven research that bridges fundamental science with real-world application. Moving forward, we will continue to prioritise interdisciplinary collaboration, natural and plant-derived bioactives, advanced drug delivery systems, and commercialisation-ready outcomes that deliver tangible healthcare benefits to society.

Be the Next Changemaker in Pharmacy

With award‑winning innovations and strong industry relevance, the Faculty of Pharmacy offers an exceptional pathway for future healthcare leaders.
Join a faculty recognised for research excellence, innovation, and real‑world impact.

Apply online via https://cyberjaya.edu.my/admission/online-application .
For inquiries, email studywithus@cyberjaya.edu.my, call +603 8313 7000, or WhatsApp +6011 1112 3344.